Forget what you know about October; while we’re dusting off Halloween decorations, millions will be preparing for one of the most vibrant, joyful, and downright beautiful festivals on the planet: Diwali.
Diwali marks the start of the Hindu New Year, but it’s also celebrated to welcome the goddess Lakshmi into the homes by lighting her path and inviting her to bring prosperity and good luck with her when she arrives!
Many Indian restaurants on Lanzarote will have already started preparing for Diwali, ordering fresh ingredients, cooking the base gravies and making traditional sweets.
Here’s what Ramesh, owner of Indian Delights & Indian Gourmet, recommends from the menu:
1. JALFREZI – a medium spicy curry consisting of chicken or lamb in a rich tomato-based sauce with chunky chilli peppers, fresh tomato slices and onion.
2. BUTTER CHICKEN – a deliciously rich and smooth curry originating in Delhi consisting of chicken in a creamy tomato and butter sauce.
3. HYDERABADI – hailing from Hyderabad this curry is well-spiced and full of flavour. It is slow cooked over low heat until the chicken and spices are well cooked.
4. ACHARI – literally meaning “pickled” this North Indian curry uses a tasty combination of fennel seeds, nigella seeds and fenugreek seeds for a warming, rich flavour.
5. MUSHROOM TANDOORI – mushrooms are first marinated in spices, herbs and yoghurt before being skewered and lowered in the Indian Tandoor until well done.
6. CHOLE MASALA – one of the most popular vegetarian dishes in India made with chickpeas, onions, tomatoes, and plenty of aromatic spices. This is a staple in northern India.
7. PALAK PANEER – a stunning green dish consisting of paneer cheese in a thick sauce made from “palak” (fresh spinach.) It’s smooth, creamy, and delicious.
For dessert the restaurant will be offering a refreshing Mango Mastani – a sweet treat made with ice cream, mango, cashew nuts, dates, raisins, cardamom, and pistachios.
DIWALI AT INDIAN DELIGHTS & INDIAN GOURMET
Two very popular Indian restaurants in Playa Blanca will be celebrating Diwali in style this month, Indian Delights in the centre of town and Indian Gourmet on Calle Las Palmas, 4, San Marcial (next to SuperDino.)
Full of daylight, the restaurants will be illuminated further still at night and decorated beautifully with sari material, draped in gorgeous jewel colours. Staff will wear traditional Indian clothing, and guests can join in by delving in the dressing-up box.
Over Diwali, diners will receive handmade sweets to take home and enjoy as a memento of the occasion. Saraswati, the lady of the house, is an expert at these delicacies in truly authentic style.
If you want to join in the celebrations and see how Diwali is celebrated, then head over to Indian Delights & Indian Gourmet’s Facebook pages (see info on the inside front cover and the full page next to this one for information) or telephone directly on +34 686 01 01 25.
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